Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-08
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ATTACKED BIT MALAYS.
A THRILLING REMNIsCENCE OF THE
CHINA TRADE.
Continued from Yesterday

The commander of ship can hardly be
placed in more trying circumstances OF
under conditions requiring cooler judg.
ment than Captain Seabreeze now found
himself. The flag futtering at the mast.
head of the stranded vessed was to him a
cry of distress, call for aid from fellow.
beings in their extremity. and every inn
pulse of his heart urged him to assist
those whose lives depended upon his
action.
Then came to his mind the remembrance
of his responsibility to the owners of the
Forward and her cargo, and of his duty
in caring tor the lives of the men that he
commanded. and he reflected that in at
tempting to drive the Malays from their
prey he must also be prepared to resist
an attack upon his own ship. Thoughts
of the danger in which he would place
his ship by nearer approach to the shOal
upon which the barque had struck pre-
sented themselves before him, and as he
mechanically took the spyglass from the
outstretched hand OF Mr.. Burton, his pale
face and compressed lips indicated the
struggle through which he was passing !;
be looked long and earnestly at the barque.
now lndistinctly visible from where we
were standing, and said in low tone, as
if in answer to his own thoughts:
The only safe way is to give these
fellows a wide berth, but | have never
vet passed a signal of distress unan-
swered; cannot leave them to their
fate."
The news of the proximity of the Malays
had soon spread to all parts of the ship,
and tho w ola crau uyora IN dook LOOKING
now at the fleet of proas, then towards
Captain Seabreeze, as if anxious to know
what the "old man. as the captain OF
merchantmen is usually styled by his
crew, was going to do. Mrs. Seabreeze.
too. had been informed OF the cause of
the excitement. and coming from the
cabin she, too, looked in the direction in
which all eyes were turned. In the fresh.
ness OF her youth and beauty, so fair like
in contrast with the rough visaged and
coarsely- dressed men about her. she
semed like the guardian angel of the
ship. as, approaching her husband and
placing her hand upon his arm, she said
Tom, can't you hel p those poor fellows
over there?. You are not going to leave
them, are you?"
Her face flushed with excitement and
her eyes filled with tears as she spoke,
and Captain SeabreeZe, with one quick
glance at her upturned face, again looked
out over the water as he replied:
But those rascals outnumber us three
to one. How can place my men in such
danger, and what would be your fate in
case we were over powered
Don't think of me" she replied IL am
ready to share the danger with you. but
if YOU pass that vessel without assisting
them in their distress. you will regret it to
your dying day, Tom.
The brave words of Mrs. Seabreeze had
put to flight any doubts existing in the
mind of her husband regarding the course
that he ought to pursue. He was brave
man and thorough sailor. and no fears
tor his personal safety would have caused
him to hesitate. He had more than once
been called upon to give assistance to a
vessel in distress. to lower boat in half
gale to save the life of some unfortunate
sailor who had fallen overheard, and
whose DAYS but for him would have been
numbered; for such an emergency, so
often occurring in the lite at sea, he was
always prepared. But now he was called
upon to contend against force of men,
treacherous and bleod thirsty, accustomed
to deeds OF violence, and who greatly out
numbered his own crew. They were no
doubt supplied with firearms, and from
his own knowledge of the Malay character
he was sure they would show no mercy
toward any who might tall into their
{ hands.
| Capt Seabreeze turned from his wife,
and with his head bowed in deep thought
commenced to pace the deck. After a
few moments thus spent he raised his
head with look of determination on his
face, went to the quarter deck, and said
to the sailors who were anxiouslv watch
ing his movements
"Men, that barque is in the hands OF
pirates. | intend to drive them off. or at
least to make the attempt. and ask you
all to stand by me and do your best"
There seemed to be not only no reluc
lance on the part of the crew to engage in
the surprise but their eagerness to do Sc
was shown by chorus of answers. A
: tussle with the natives was to them but an
adventure in an otherwise uneventful and
monotonous voyage, and feeling no respon.
sibiity they had no anxiety regarding the
result
Aye, aye. sir J" I'VE are ready to take
a hand0" "You can count on us SIR"
were the hearty responses to the short
speech of Captain Seabreeze, and with
these assurances he at once proceeded tc
execute the plans which he had so quickly
formed.
About 90 minutes had now elapsed since
the barque was first seen. The wind wa.
light. from the eastward, hardly strong
enough to straghten out the folds of oul
flag, which had been hoisted at the mizzer
peak. and under all sail the ship was max
ing but four knots an hour. Captain Sea
breeze ordered the helmsmsn to steer il
the direction of the bark. nov about three
miles distant, and at the same time leads
man was sent to the forechains with order.
to take frequent soundings and report a
once any decrease in the depth of water
The second mate. Mr.. Hardy, was di
rected to take the starboard watch, reduce
sail to top-sails and make preparations fol
snchoring, while Mr.. Burton. in charge o
the port watch. proceeded to get up The
arms and ammunition.
1t was the custom then. and is, no doubt
at the present day. for ships engaged il
the China trade to carry a sufficient guam
tity of firearms to furnish their crews witt
means OF defence in case of an attack b,
Chinese or Malay pirates, and the For
ward was well provided in that respect